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Published on: November 20, 2015
Relationship of plasma S100B and MBP with brain damage in preterm infants
Wei Zhou1, Wei Li2, Liu-Hong Qu3
1Department of Neonatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong Province, China.
Insights
Plasma levels of S100B and MBP are elevated in preterm infants with brain damage, particularly periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). These biomarkers may help predict early brain injury in vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Biomarkers in Perinatal Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) are at high risk for brain injury, including periventricular-intraventricuar hemorrhage (PVH-IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).
- Early detection and prediction of brain damage are crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes in preterm neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma levels of S100B and myelin basic protein (MBP) and the occurrence of PVH-IVH and PVL in preterm infants.
- To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of S100B and MBP as biomarkers for early brain injury in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 312 preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation) was monitored.
- Plasma S100B and MBP levels were measured at multiple time points post-birth (24h, 3rd, 7th, 14th day).
- Cranial ultrasound and MRI were used to diagnose brain injury (no brain damage, PVH-IVH, PVL).
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated S100B levels were observed in PVH-IVH and PVL groups compared to controls within 24 hours and on day 3.
- Plasma S100B levels remained significantly higher in the PVL group compared to both control and PVH-IVH groups on days 7 and 14.
- Significantly elevated MBP levels were consistently found in the PVL group compared to control and PVH-IVH groups from 24 hours up to day 14.
- S100B showed a negative correlation with gestational age in the no brain damage group.
Conclusions:
- Plasma S100B and MBP levels increase significantly in preterm infants with brain damage, especially within 24 hours of birth.
- PVL is associated with higher and more prolonged elevations of S100B and MBP compared to PVH-IVH.
- These biomarkers hold clinical significance for predicting early brain damage and PVL in preterm infants.
Abstract:
To study the relationships of MBP and S100B with PVH-IVH and PVL in preterm infants. 385 cases of preterm infants, whose gestational age was less than 34 weeks, were enrolled in the study. The plasma levels of S100B and MBP were detected within 24 hours and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th day after birth. Cranial ultrasound was preformed 2-3 d, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after birth. They also received Cranial MRI examination before discharge or when the correct gestational age reached 40 weeks. According to the exclusion standard, 73 cases were excluded. The included 312 cases were divided into 3 groups (no brain damage group, PVH-IVH group and PVL group) according to the result of cranial ultrasound and MRI. The differences of plasma levels of S100B and MBP among groups were compared, and the relationships of the plasma levels of S100B and MBP with gestational age in no brain damage group were analyzed. The results of cranial ultrasound and/or MRI showed: 204 cases had no brain damage (enrolled in no brain damage group); 69 cases had PVH-IVH (enrolled in PVH-IVH group); 27 cases had PVL and 12 cases had PVL and PVH-IVH (both enrolled in PVL group). The plasma level of S100B: within 24 h and on the 3rd d after birth, the serum levels of S100B in PVH-IVH group were significantly higher than those in no brain damage group (P < 0.05); and the plasma levels of S100B in PVL group were significantly higher than those in no brain damage group and PVH-IVH group (all P < 0.05). On 7th d and 14th d after birth, there were no significant differences between PVH-IVH group and no brain damage group (P > 0.05); and the plasma levels of S100B in PVL group were still significantly higher than those in no brain damage group and PVH-IVH group (all P < 0.05). The plasma levels of MBP: within 24 h and on the 3rd d, 7th d and 14th d after birth, there were no significant differences between PVH-IVH group and no brain damage group (all P > 0.05); and the plasma levels of MBP in PVL group were significantly higher than those in no brain damage group and PVH-IVH group (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis of gestational age and S100B, MBP: the plasma level of S100B in no brain damage group had a negative correlation with gestational age (r = -0.483, P = 0.006), and that of MBP had no correlation with gestational age (r = -0.295, P = 0.105). The plasma levels of S100B and MBP increased significantly in preterm infants with brain damage within 24 h after birth, and the plasma levels of S100B and MBP in PVL infants were higher than those in PVH-IVH infants. The increased plasma levels of S100B and MBP in PVL infants lasted longer than in PVH-IVH infants. The increased plasma levels of S100B and MBP in preterm infants would have certain clinical significance for judging whether early brain damage and PVL would happen.

